Metal-enclosed switchgear



' April 21, 1959 M, E. HORN 2,883,483

METAL-ENCLOSED SWITCHGEAR Filed Dec. 31, 1957 "4 SheetsSheet 1 April 21, 1959 M. E; HORN METAL-ENCLOSED SWITCHGEAR 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 31, 1957 INVENTOR Merl E. Horn WITNESSES: -ma R G April 21, 1959 M. E. HORN METAL-ENCLOSED SWITCHGEAR Filed Dec. 51, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 we uwcmwmm April 21, 1959 M. E. HORN METAL-ENCLOSED SWITCHGEAR 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 31, 1957 Fig.6.

Fig. 7.

| I I l i I l r r United States Patent METAL-ENCLOSED SWITCHGEAR Merl E. Horn, Forest Hills, Pa., assignor to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a. corporation of Pennsylvania Application December 31, 1957, Serial No. 706,314

10 Claims. (Cl. 200-50) This invention relates, generally to metal-enclosed switchgear, and, more particularly, to switchgear having circuit breaker units of the horizontal drawout type disposed in cells or compartments.

Here'tofore, the cells or compartments and the circuit breakers have usually been so constructed that the door for a cell could be closed only when the breaker unit was fully inserted into the cell to the connected or operating position.

An object of the invention is to provide a metalenclosed switchgear structure in which the door of a compartment containing a breaker unit can be closed with the breaker unit in either the connected position, the test position, or the disconnected position.

Another object of the invention is to provide for menually operating the circuit breaker mechanism when the breaker unit is in either the connected position, the test position, or the disconnected position with the door of the compartment closed.

A further object of the invention is to so mount a movable trim plate on a circuit breaker unit that the plate does not bind when it is engaged by the door through which the operating mechanism of the breaker projects.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a simple and positive means for indicating the position of the circuit breaker unit in the cell or compartment.

Other objects of the invention will be explained fully hereinafter or will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a movable trim plate is so mounted on the breaker operating mechanism that the plate cooperates with the door of the cell to close an opening in the door around the operating mechanism when the door is closed with the breaker unit at any position in the cell. A portion of the operating mechanism projects through the opening when the breaker unit is in the test and the disconnected positions. The trim plate is mounted on a linkage that moves it parallel to the breaker base. Two springs are attached to the linkage to keep the trim plate against the door at each of the breaker positions.

For a better understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view, in perspective, of a portion of a metal-enclosed switchgear structure embodying the principal features of the invention;

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are views, in perspective, showing the breaker unit in connected, test and disconnected positions, respectively.

Fig. 5 is a View, partly in section and partly in side elevation, of a switchgear cell containing a removable circuit breaker unit; and,

Figs. 6 and 7 are'enlarged views, in plan and elevation, respectively, of the trim plate and linkage mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Fig. 5, the structure shown therein comprises a switchgear cell or compartment 10 in which is disposed a circuit breaker unit 11. The cell 10 comprises channel members 12, flanged side sheets 13, a top wall 14, a bottom wall 15 and a hinged door 16. The cell 10 may be part of a metal-enclosed switchgear structure comprising several cells or compartments of the type shown.

As shown, the circuit breaker unit 11 is of the horizontal drawou't type. The circuit breaker unit comprises a circuit breaker 17 mechanism which is mounted on a rear panel or base 18 and side members 19 attached to the panel 18. The unit is supported by rollers 21 which run on rails 22 disposed at the sides of the cell 10. As shown, removable rail extensions 23 may be provided for supporting the breaker unit 11 when it is completely withdrawn from the cell 10.

The circuit breaker unit 11 is provided with primary disconnecting contact members 24 which engage fixed contact members 25 at the rear of the cell 10 when the breaker unit is in the connected or operating position. The primary disconnecting contact members 24 are disengaged from the contact members 25 when the circuit breaker unit is in the disconnected position. The contact members 24 are also disengaged from the contact members 25 when the breaker unit is in the test position.

The circuit breaker unit 11 is also provided with a plurality of secondary disconnecting contact members 26 which engage fixed secondary contact members 27 in the cell when the breaker unit is in the connected or operating position. The secondary contact members 26 also engage the contact members 27 when the breaker unit is in the test position. The secondary disconnecting contact members and the primary disconnecting contact members are all disengaged when the breaker unit is in the disconnected position. The breaker unit 11 is also provided with a grounding contact member 28 which engages a grounded contact member 29 in the cell.

The exact location of the breaker unit for each position is determined by a combination positioning and interlocking slide 31 which is operated by the door 16 to which it is connected by means of a rod 30. The slide 31 cooperates with an interlocking pin 32 which is carried by an interlocking lever 33 to prevent the breaker unit from being moved from one position to another while the contact members of the breaker are closed. The interlocking lever 33 is pivotally mounted on a pin 34 on the breaker unit.

The breaker unit may be moved between positions in the cell when the door 16 is open by means of a levering handle 35. The handle 35 utilizes brackets 36 attached to the side of the cell as fulcrum points and engages pins 37 attached to the breaker unit to move the breaker unit between positions (in the cell.

The contact members of the circuit breaker may be closed by means of a manually operable handle 41 which projects forwardly of the breaker through an enclosure 42 which encloses operating mechanism including an indicating device 46 for the circuit breaker. A tripping lever 43 also projects from the enclosure 42.

As explained hereinbefore, it is desirable that the door 16 of the cell can be closed with the breaker unit in either the connected position, the test position, or the disconnected position. By being able to close the door 16, the breaker mechanism is protected at all times. Also, the operating and maintenance personnel are protected since the breaker unit may be left in the cell in a disconnected position while maintaining equipment controlled by the circuit breaker. Furthermore, as will be explained more fully hereinafter, easy recognition of the position of the breaker unit in the cell is provided.

As shown more clearly in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, the door 16 is provided with an opening 44 through which the handle 41 and the enclosure 42 extend when the breaker unit is in the test and the disconnected positions. As shown, it is necessary for the opening 44 to be considerably larger than the enclosure 42 in order that the door 16 may be opened when the breaker unit is in the test and the disconnected positions. In order to close the opening around the enclosure 42 when the door 16 is closed, a movable trim plate 45 is provided. The trim plate 45 has an opening 46 therein for the enclosure 42. As shown in Fig. l, the trim plate 45 is supported by a linkage 47 which is attached to a bracket 48, which, in turn, is attached to one side of the enclosure 42. The linkage 47 is so constructed that the trim plate 45 moves parallel to the enclosure 42, and is maintained parallel to the base 18, thereby enabling the plate 45 to fit closely around the enclosure 42.

As shown most clearly in Figs. 6 and 7, the linkage 47 comprises two sets of links, an upper set which is disposed above the enclosure 42 and is attached to the upper leg of the U-shaped bracket 48, and a lower set which is disposed at the bottom of the enclosure 42 and is attached to the lower leg of the bracket 48. Each set of links comprises a link 51 having one end pivotally attached to the bracket 48 by a pin 52 and the other end slidably attached to the trim plate 45 by means of a pin 53 which is disposed in a slot 54 in a guide member 55 attached to the rear of the trim plate 45. A second link 4 is maintained between the trim plate and the enclosure for the breaker operating mechanism. This is possible because the trim plate is maintained at all times parallel to the base of the breaker and front of the cell, whereas if the trim plate had to tilt during the closing of the door, the opening in the trim plate would have to be wider than the width of the enclosure or projection for the operating means and there would be a space between the inner edge of the trim plate and the enclosure or projection when the door is closed. Since the trim plate is mounted on the breaker unit, the breaker unit may be readily installed in switchgear structures of different types.

56 for each set has one end pivotally attached to the link 1 51 substantially at its midpoint by means of a pin 57. The other end of the upper link 56 is pivotally attached to the trim plate 45 by a pin 58. The other end of the lower link 56 is pivotally attached to the trim plate 45 by means of a longer pin 59.

A tension spring 61 is stretched between the pin 53 in one end of the link 51 and the pin 58 in one end of the upper link 56. A similar spring 61 is stretched between the pin 53 in one end of the lower link 51 and the pin 59 in one end of the lower link 56. The springs 61 move the trim plate 45 along the enclosure 42 in a direction toward the door 16, thereby keeping the trim plate against the inside of the door at all positions of the breaker unit. The trim plate is moved in the opposite direction along the enclosure 42 by the door 16 when the door is closed with the breaker unit in the cell.

As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, a roller 62 is mounted at the upper left-hand corner of the trim plate on the pin 58. A similar roller 62 is mounted at the lower left-hand corner of the trim plate 45 on the pin 59. The rollers 62 are engaged by the door 16 to move the trim plate 45 inwardly against the force of the springs 61. The door can be closed against the trim plate when the braker unit is in any one of its three positions. As previously stated, the linkage mechanism causes the plate 45 to be moved parallel to the enclosure 42 and the rollers 62 reduce the friction between the door 16 and the trim plate. Furthermore, the trim plate does not bind against the enclosure 42. The rollers are so located that they are hidden from view when the door 16 is closed.

As shown more clearly in Fig. 1, spaced grooves 63 and 64 are provided on the side of the enclosure 42. These grooves are filled with paint of a color which contrasts with the color of the enclosure. As shown in Fig. 3, when only the line 63 is visible the breaker unit is in the test position in the cell. As shown in Fig. 4, when the lines 63 and 64 are both visible the breaker unit is in the disconnected position in the cell.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that the present invention provides a removable circuit breaker unit which may be disposed at any one of its three main positions in a switchgear cell or compartment with the door of the compartment closed. Protection against the entry of foreign matter into the compartment is provided and the general appearance of the structure is improved by the movable trim plate which closes the opening in the door around the portion of the breaker unit which extends through the door. A relatively close fit Thus, the breaker units may be supplied to switchgear builders other than the manufacturer of the breaker unit.

Since numerous changes may be made in the above described construction and different embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is intended that all the matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

i claim as my invention:

1. in a switchgear structure, in combination, a cell having an openable door, a circuit breaker unit disposed in the cell and movable between predetermined positions within the cell, operating mechanism for the circuit breaker having a portion projecting forwardly of the breaker, said door having an opening therein through which said projecting portion extends when the door is closed with the breaker unit in certain of said positions, said opening being larger than said projecting portion to permit the door to open when the projecting portion extends through the opening, a trim plate for closing the opening around the projecting portion when the door is c d, and a parallel motion mechanism for movably supporting the trim plate on the circuit breaker, said trim plate being movable relative to said projecting portion.

2. In a switchgear structure, in combination, a cell having a hinged door, a circuit breaker unit disposed in the cell and movable between predetermined positions within the cell, operating mechanism for the circuit breaker, an enclosure for the operating mechanism, said door having an opening therein through which said onclosure extends when the door is closed with the breaker unit in certain of said positions, said opening being larger than said enclosure to permit the door to open when the enclosure extends through the opening, a trim plate for closing the opening around the enclosure when the door is closed, a linkage for movably supporting the trim plate on the circuit breaker, and spring means for moving the trim plate in one direction, said plate being moved in the opposite direction by said door.

3. In a circuit breaker having a portion of its operating mechanism projecting forwardly of the breaker, a trim plate, said plate having an opening therein for said projecting portion, a linkage attached to the breaker for movably supporting the plate, and spring means for moving the plate in one direction along the projecting portion.

4. In a circuit breaker 'having a portion of its operating mechanism projecting forwardly of the breaker, a trim plate, said plate having an opening therein for said projecting portion, a linkage attached to the breaker for movably supporting the plate, and springs attached to the linkage for moving the plate in one direction along the projecting portion.

5. in a circuit breaker having a portion of its operating mechanism projecting forwardly of the breaker, a plate, said plate having an opening therein for said projecting portion, a bracket attached to the breaker, pan allel motion mechanism attached to the bracket for movably supporting the plate, and springs attached to the parallel motion mechanism for moving the plate in one direction along the projecting portion.

6. In a switchgear structure, in combination, a cell having a hinged door, 'a circuit breaker unit disposed in the cell and movable between predetermined positions Within the cell, operating mechanism for the circuit breaker, an enclosure for the operating mechanism, said door having an opening therein through which said enclosure extends when the door is closed with the breaker unit in certain of said positions, said opening being larger than said enclosure to permit the door to open when the enclosure extends through the opening, a trim plate for closing the opening around the enclosure when the door is closed, said plate having an opening therein for the enclosure, a linkage attached to the breaker for movably supporting the plate, and springs attached to the linkage for moving the plate in one direction along the enclosure, said plate being moved in the opposite direction by said door.

7. In a switchgear structure, in combination, a cell having a hinged door, a circuit breaker unit disposed in the cell and movable between predetermined positions Within the cell, operating mechanism for the circuit breaker, an enclosure for the operating mechanism, said door having an opening therein through which said enclosure extends when the door is closed with the breaker unit in certain of said positions, said opening being larger than said enclosure to permit the door to open when the enclosure extends through the opening, a trim plate for closing the opening around the enclosure when the door is closed, said plate having an opening therein for the enclosure, a parallel motion mechanism attached to the breaker for movably supporting the plate, springs attached to the parallel motion mechanism for moving the plate in one direction along the enclosure, said plate being moved in the opposite direction by said door, and rollers at one side of said plate engaged by the door, to reduce friction between the door and the plate.

8. in a switchgear structure, in combination, a cell having a hinged door, a circuit breaker unit disposed in the cell and movable between predetermined positions within the cell, operating mechanism for the circuit breaker, an enclosure for the operating mechanism, said door having an opening therein through which said enclosure extends when the door is closed with the breaker unit in certain of said positions, said opening being larger than said enclosure to permit the door to open when the enclosure extends through the opening, a trim plate for closing the opening around the enclosure when the door is closed, said plate having an opening therein for the enclosure, the opening in said plate being only slightly larger than said enclosure, a parallel motion linkage attached to the breaker for movably supporting the plate, springs attached to the linkage for moving the plate in one direction along the enclosure, said plate being moved in the opposite direction by said door, and indicating means on the enclosure for indicating the position of the breaker unit in the cell.

9. A trim plate for a circuit breaker having an enclosure for operating mechanism of the breaker, said plate having an opening therein for the enclosure, a bracket attached to one side of the breaker, a link having one end pivotally attached to said bracket and the other end slidably attached to the trim plate, and a second link having one end pivotally attached to the first link and the other end pivotally attached to the trim plate to permit the plate to move parallel to the enclosure.

10. A trim plate for a circuit breaker having an enclosure for operating mechanism of the breaker, said plate having an opening therein for the enclosure, a bracket attached to one side of the breaker, a link having one end pivotally attached to said bracket and the other end slidably attached to the trim plate, a second link having one end pivotally attached to the first link and the other end pivotally attached to the trim plate to permit the plate to move parallel to the enclosure, and a spring connecting the ends of the links which are attached to the trim plate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

